Published 3:23 am, Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Montgomery County law enforcement officials are urging senior citizens to take steps to protect themselves following several unrelated burglaries targeting older residents July 10 and Sept. 16.

During the July incident, deputies responded to a home on Spring Ridge Drive in South Montgomery County, where they met with the 75-year-old homeowner. The deputy learned that the victim had returned home from the store and a truck pulled into the driveway and one of the occupants offered to help the victim take grocery bags inside the home.

The man engaged the victim in conversation, luring him to the back yard talking about cutting tree limbs. The victim told the deputy that the man said he had to leave and entered the victim’s home through the back door and left quickly out of the front door. The victim, who uses a cane, could not keep up.

The victim saw the men driving away and saw personal items from inside his home in the driveway near where the truck had been parked. The victim discovered that other items were missing from inside the home. The victim believes that while in the back yard, the men entered his home taking his property.

During the Sept. 16 incident, several men knocked on the front door of a home on Brook Hollow Drive, also in South Montgomery County. The 89-year-old resident was confronted by a man who said he was employed by “the county and the state” and was there to convert the power-lines in the back yard to an underground system.

The man lured the victim to the back yard and feigned taking measurements.

The victim said after about 30 minutes, the man told her he was going to his car but never returned.

Later that day, the victim found numerous items missing from her home, including a pillowcase. It is believed that a second man entered the home and took the property while the victim was distracted.

Lt. Dan Norris with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said residents should never hesitate to ask for identification if they’re unsure about the situation.

“Almost any utility worker is going to have some kind of identification card or a distinctive uniform,” Norris said. “It’s definitely not improper to ask for some form of identification.”

Those who are still unsure are encouraged to contact local law enforcement to investigate.

“We would much rather come out to the home to help look into any suspicious activity,” Norris said. “We don’t mind being called and we’ll send a patrol car to check on them as soon as they’re available.”

“If they have any questions regarding anyone coming to their door, especially if they’re uninvited and weren’t set up for an appointment, they should call local law enforcement,” Gable said.

Senior citizens should also be aware of their surroundings and avoid letting people introduce themselves as utility workers or other professions from entering their home.

“Even if they are legitimate, they can walk around the home like everyone else,” Norris said.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Call 800-392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips also can be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers web page at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers.org.